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It seems that currently America is one of the only countries that uses the term "soccer" to refer to what the rest of the world calls "football".

What caused the Americans to start using this term instead of "football"?

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Pretty thoroughly covered in en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_for_association_football, I think. – Michael Myers♦ Feb 8 '12 at 20:51
Wondered this same exact thing just the other day. – Robert C. Barth Feb 8 '12 at 20:51
@Good timing, I heard the explanation just the other day. – Kevin Feb 8 '12 at 20:57
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At best this is a question for EL&U – wax eagle Feb 9 '12 at 3:12

closed as off topic by Michael Myers♦, chrisjlee, wax eagle, Robert Cartaino♦ Feb 9 '12 at 6:43

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1 Answer

up vote 5 down vote accepted

According to this Wikia entry:

Soccer became a shortened reference to the word asSOCiation football.

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For a more in depth answer todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/06/… – chrisjlee Feb 9 '12 at 17:56

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